Origins

Candide was originally conceived by Lillian Hellman as a play with incidental music in the style of her previous work, The Lark. Bernstein, however, was so excited about this idea that he convinced Hellman to do it as a "comic operetta"; she then wrote the original libretto for the operetta. Many lyricists worked on the show: first James Agee (whose work was ultimately not used), then Dorothy Parker, John Latouche and Richard Wilbur. In addition, the lyrics to "I Am Easily Assimilated" were done by Leonard and Felicia Bernstein, and Hellman wrote the words to "Eldorado". Hershy Kay orchestrated all but the overture, which Bernstein did himself.

Glitter and Be Gay

Glitter and be gay,That's the part I play;Here I am in Paris, France,Forced to bend my soulTo a sordid role,Victimized by bitter, bitter circumstance.Alas for me! Had I remainedBeside my lady mother,My virtue had remained unstainedUntil my maiden hand was gainedBy some Grand Duke or other.Ah, 'twas not to be;Harsh necessityBrought me to this gilded cage.Born to higher things,Here I droop my wings,Ah! Singing of a sorrow nothing can assuage.And yet of course I rather like to revel,Ha ha!I have no strong objection to champagne,Ha ha!My wardrobe is expensive as the devil,Ha ha!Perhaps it is ignoble to complain...Enough, enoughOf being basely tearful!I'll show my noble stuffBy being bright and cheerful!Ha ha ha ha ha! Ha!Pearls and ruby rings...Ah, how can worldly thingsTake the place of honor lost?Can they compensateFor my fallen state,Purchased as they were at such an awful cost?Bracelets...lavalieresCan they dry my tears?Can they blind my eyes to shame?Can the brightest broochShield me from reproach?Can the purest diamond purify my name?And yet of course these trinkets are endearing,Ha ha!I'm oh, so glad my sapphire is a star,Ha ha!I rather like a twenty-carat earring,Ha ha!If I'm not pure, at least my jewels are!Enough! Enough!I'll take their diamond necklaceAnd show my noble stuffBy being gay and reckless!Ha ha ha ha ha! Ha!Observe how bravely I concealThe dreadful, dreadful shame I feel.Ha ha ha ha!